Submitted

The Most Rev. Abune Berhaneyesus D. Souraphiel, C.M., archbishop of Ethiopia, receives the President's Medal from Niagara University President the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M.

The
Most Rev. Abune Berhaneyesus D. Souraphiel, C.M., archbishop of Ethiopia, spent
most of Tuesday on the campus of Niagara University.

During
his time on Monteagle Ridge, Archbishop Souraphiel met with the Rev. James J.
Maher, C.M., NU president, as well as several other individuals from the
university community, including administrators, faculty and students.

In
the afternoon, the native Ethiopian presided over Mass, was presented with
Niagara University's highest honor, its President's Medal, and also offered
remarks on the state of the Catholic Church in his home country.

"It
was an honor for the Niagara University community to welcome Archbishop Souraphiel,
C.M., to our campus and Western New York," Maher said. "We embrace Archbishop
Souraphiel in his role as a leader of the Roman Catholic Church and member of
the Vincentian family. He represents a living witness to St. Vincent de Paul,
transforming the church, the world and serving the people of Africa in his
ministry though this witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ."

A
native of Cheleleqa, Harar, Ethiopia, Archbishop Souraphiel was ordained as a
Vincentian priest on July 4, 1976. He was consecrated as a bishop in 1998, and
appointed archbishop in December 1999. During his ministry, Archbishop
Souraphiel has written and has presented frequently on the topic of human
trafficking.